In Michigan, the Mackinaw City village council recently voted 4-3 against permitting the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians to open a Class III casino within the city limits. However, tribal officials said they will proceed with plans to open a Class II facility on Nicolet Street, with a groundbreaking to be held in November.
Odawa Casino General Manager Eric McLester said, “We’ll continue to be a good neighbor. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t have the support for a Class III facility, which would have benefited both of us, but it doesn’t change our plans.”
If the Class III casino had been approved, offering slot machines, dice, craps and roulette, the village would have received 2 percent of the revenue and the state would have received 6 percent. The tribe is not required to seek approval for or provide revenue from a Class II facility, which can offer bingo, lottos and pull tabs, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
As a Class III facility, the Mackinaw City site, purchased by the tribe in 2012, would have had a 5,000 square foot gaming floor with 64 slot machines.
